Taking a trip to Corpus Christi, Texas anytime soon? Here is a list of the top ten things to do during your vacation here.
1) When deciding where to stay while in Corpus, you can find many moderately-priced hotels throughout the city, but nothing beats a hotel by the bayfront, especially the Omni Marina or Omni Bayfront hotels. Only a stone's throw from the water and all the downtown action, these hotels provide the four-star treatment for their guests as well as offer spectacular views of the water from most rooms. Have a drink in one of their well-stocked bars or simply order room service and sit out on the balcony enjoying the scenery.
2) If you decide not to stay on the bayfront, at least get out there on a nice day and take a stroll along it. Order a shaved ice treat from one of the sidewalk vendors, and if you get tired, for a few bucks you can rent a bicycle cart for you and your family to ride on.
3) Are you more the athletic type? If you will be coming to Corpus in the month of May with a group of friends who like to run, why not participate in the annual Beach to Bay Relay Marathon. The 26.2 mile race is divided up into six legs of 4.4 miles, so you and six friends can participate together. As the name would suggest, the marathon begins at the beach and ends at the bayfront, but is a scenic trek for those who love running.
4) Coming to Corpus and not partaking in the fresh seafood or the Tex-Mex food is akin to a sin. For fresh seafood, nothing is better than Water Street Oyster Bar, while Kiko's Restaurant is the place to go for delicious and authentic Mexican cuisine.
5) Are you a fan of Tejano music? Then, like the rest of the Tejano world, you mourned the loss of one of its rising stars, Selena. Visit the Selena Museum and see some of the outfits she designed and wore at her concerts, as well as other memorabilia. On the bayfront, you can also see a statue of Selena that was put up in her honor after her death in 1995.
6) If you are a gambling man or woman, the Greyhound Racetrack just a few miles north of Corpus Christi is a great place to bet on and view live greyhound racing. Each performance includes thirteen races, so you are guaranteed to have a great time and some great food.
7) Each Wednesday, fifty-two weeks a year (weather permitting), come to the bayfront to see the nighttime sailboat races. This is a great spectator sport and something the kids will love to watch.
8) Whether or not you are affiliated with the military, it is hard not to appreciate the enormity and rich history of the "Blue Ghost," otherwise known as the USS Lexington. Having a father who served on this ship many years ago, we have visited the ship several times and it never gets boring. Don't forget to wear comfortable clothes and shoes when touring this huge ship because you will be climbing some pretty steep stairs at times.
9) For the first time a month ago, I took my nephews to the Texas State Aquarium. As my nephews are only five and eight years old, I was sure we would be rushing through all of the educational sections and staying only an hour or so, but the exhibits and displays were so engaging and the facts so enlightening, that we ended up staying for quite a while. Don't forget to stay for the dolphin show and try not to skip the stingray exhibit where you can touch and feel these creatures from the sea.
10) To celebrate the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' famous voyage, the Spanish built replicas of the ships "The Nina," "The Pinta" and "Santa Maria." In the early 1990s, these ships toured the ports in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Three years later, they docked for the last time at their home in Corpus Christi. Be sure to make the tours of "The Pinta" and "Santa Maria" part of your itinerary.
